Opposition Azeri Party Ends Parliament Boycott

(RFE/RL) 6 February 2006 -- A party in Azerbaijan's main opposition bloc broke ranks today and ended a boycott of the new parliament which was elected in disputed polls.

The Musavat party won four of the six seats awarded to the Azadliq bloc in the 125-member assembly.

Associated Press quotes a Musavat lawmaker, Nasib Nasibili, as saying that this move does not mean the party has abandoned its complaints about alleged widespread fraud in the November polls.

But he stressed the need to use its electoral mandate and said the party would take part in new elections ordered in 10 constituencies in May because of violations.

Other opposition parties in the Azadliq bloc criticized the decision, saying Musavat had split the opposition by accepting the legitimacy of the parliament.

(AP)